Modelling ground vibrations induced by harmonic loads

Abstract

2 3 4A finite-element model combining the frequency domain thin-layer method with paraxial boundary conditions to simulate the semi-infinite extent of a soil medium is presented in this paper. The combined numerical model is used to deal with harmonic vibrations of surface rigid foundations on non-horizontal soil profiles. The model can deal with soil media over rigid bedrock or significant depths of half-space. Structured finite elements are used to mesh simple geometry soil domains, whereas unstructured triangular mesh grids are employed to deal with complex geometry problems. Dynamic responses of homogeneous as well as layered soil profiles are simulated and validated against analytical and approximate solutions. Finally, the model is used to deal with surface ground vibration reduction, in which it is first validated against published results and then followed by an example involving a bridge.

Editorial

“…The second paper (Hamdan et al, 2016) continues the theme of vibration, in this case as a problem to be understood through the development of a finite-element model. A major difficulty with finite-element modelling of vibration is that in the physical world vibrations radiate through the semi-infinite half-space of soil but artificial boundaries within finite-element models can create artificial reflections.…”